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 Back to Solutions: Concentrating Growth and Development
State Government Policies
State Government Policies can have a major impact on whether additional sprawl development is encouraged. A growing number of states are re-examining programs and policies to support "smart growth" efforts.
The National Governor's Association has released a report, Growing Pains: Quality of Life in the New Economy, which looks at why (and how) Governors from across the U.S. have started to focus their attention on sprawl-related issues.
New Jersey's State Development and Redevelopment Plan includes a focus on ensuring that state infrastructure investments do not promote sprawl.
The State of Maryland's recent "Smart Growth" initiatives include a focus on re-directing state infrastructure investments so that they do not foster sprawl.
The landmark Chesapeake Bay Agreement, signed on June 28, 2000 by the governors of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, the mayor of Washington, DC, and the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, includes a series of policies to be developed by the States aimed at reducing sprawl and its impact on the Bay. More information is available on the Regional Cooperation page of this Guide.
Go to the Vermont page of the Sprawl Guide to find out more about a bill the Vermont State Legislature is considering that would allow municipalities to create sales-tax free downtown development districts. The objective is to encourage retailers to locate in downtown areas, by not charging their customers the 5 per cent state sales tax.
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